“No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of darkness. See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be just as full of light as when a lamp shines its light on you.” (Luke 11:33-36)
Taking light in
In the passage above, Luke the disciple/doctor speaks about how our eyes take in light and allow us to see.
Where are the lamps or lights placed in your house? Are they hidden away so no one can see them? Or are they put in places where they can shine brightly, giving sight to those in those in the rooms?
The Gospel of Jesus is the light we all need; through him, we no longer live in darkness. He not only gives us our salvation, but also the love, hope and power to change and grow as we strive to live out a Christian life.
How much light are you taking in? Is your body filled with light?
Shine out the light that you take in
We shine our light by loving people and sharing the Gospel with them. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus spoke to the crowd saying that God's people are the 'light of the world'. His people are the ones charged with spreading the light and love of God to others. We carry the responsibility to illuminate this sin-darkened world.
Matthew 5:14-16 reads,
You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Don’t be ashamed of the light!
We live in a sin-darkened world, and all of us are in dire need of the light of our Savior.
Let's open our eyes, taking IN the Light through reading God’s word, and shining OUT the light we take in by loving others, sharing the Gospel, and using the amazing gifts and opportunities God has gifted us with.
When we come together we can be a city on a hill that cannot be hidden.
You are the light of the world; so go ahead, don’t be afraid to SHINE!